Magam Ruhunupura Mahinda
Rajapaksa Port
As an effective measure to
ease the long berthing
delays experienced by Roll
on Roll off vessels at the
Port of Colombo, the SLPA
has in consultation with
shipping lines and importers
decided to route all such
vessels to the Magam
Ruhunupura Mahinda Rajapaksa
Port with effect from 31st
May, 2012. Vehicle parking
yards in the Port have
become congested due to the
large influx of imports in
spite of the SLPA releasing
many underutilized areas for
vehicle parking. In
addition, used vehicle
importers fail to clear
their vehicles expeditiously
from the Port, in spite of
the SLPA increasing rental
charges recently. On the
other hand new vehicle
importers are given the
opportunity of clearing
their consignments without
delays by taking direct
delivery. Vehicles being
stowed within the port for
long durations have caused
much inconvenience for the
efficient functioning of
this vital sector and in
addition safety of the
vehicles are also being
compromised.
Due to the non availability
of berthing facilities at
the Colombo Port, vessels
experience delays of more
than ten days and as a
result freight rates have
been increased by the lines
which in turn add to the
cost of the selling price of
a vehicle in the local
market. The situation also
results in a reluctance of
the shipping lines to enter
Colombo.
Hambantota Magam Ruhunupura
Mahinda Rajapaksa port has
hence been identified as the
most suitable alternative,
with simplified clearing
arrangements and ample
parking areas with dedicated
terminals and other
facilities.
In addition to already
announced concessions
granted to any type of
vessel calling at the Magam
Ruhunupura Mahinda
Rajapaksa Port (MRMR Port)
by the SLPA, importers of
vehicles are being afforded
special concessions. The
prompt berthing of vessels,
ample secure parking
facilities would assure
speedy turnaround of
vessels.
With such attractive
concessions being afforded,
it is expected that all
vehicle importers will avail
themselves of this facility
at Hambantota. The SLPA is
vigorously campaigning to
establish the MRMR port as a
preferred transshipment Hub
for vehicles and attractive
incentives are being
afforded to Shipping lines
to avail themselves of this
facility too. The vast areas
available for parking of
vehicles will be an added
boost for the transshipment
trade. The additional safety
and security precautions
there will also result in
towards the maximum
standards of reducing
damages.
(CPRD03042012)
